Modelling

I don´t have much experience to model water in dioramas. I have used already model-water from the firms Busch and Faller, but theirs materials were quite expensive and at least not so realistic like I intented. Who has experience with modelling water? Who can recommend me a method and materials?

I would like to model the water of a lake - 1-2 cm deep. The material doesn´t have to get hot. I want to implant some plastic figures as swimmers in the lake! And I would like the lake-water a little bit brownish like a sweetwater-lake is quite often along his banks.

I use Noch material or Deluxe Materials. Their expensve but they are worth it. I have also use vallejo but still I find the other 2 way better . here are some examples made with Noch productshope it helps

Vallejo still water is good product for making artificial water. It is mixable with acrylic paints so you can achieve various color efects (muddy water for example). My advice is to seal surface where you plan to apply VSW. Layer of white glue will work fine. One needs patience when working VSW since it must be applied in thin layers. I'm not sure how thin, but do not exceed 5mm. Note that layer will shrink a bit when dried. Leave it 24h to dry completely before applying next layer.

It is also very cheap...A bottle cost something of 5 euros plus minus here at mine place...I wanted to test it first, and than to apply on the project...I first must calculate all costs for figures, base etc etc and to make exact plan of everything including base for diorama...

I paid for bottle of Vallejo SW (200 mL, I think) arround 15€ including shipping.

This morning I went to hardware store and I found some sealant (like silicone tube) that is white but become transparent when dries. Bison is the brand and price is around 6€. I think it is worth trying.

Just to add one more opinion.I made this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18780using Pebeo's crystal resin tinted with 2 drops of Pebeo's Vitrail turqoise ( 17 ). The resin cures flat so to finish the surface I used Liquitex heavy Gel.

Kostis you are right here. Before I even knew who Erik Trauner was, I used this tutorial written by him to cast my river segments.

Kekso wrote:Result of my using of Vallejo Still Water

Kekso you really surprised me with this native American water diorama.I did not know you build complicated dio's like this.I consider Still Water being a poor product because it shrinks and gets loose from rock and riverside while drying. But you achieved a very good and perfect result here. Also your use of many different plants looks very good. Using plastic plants often creates a very artificial effect with screaming green colors. But the way you used it is remarkable nice.

Thank you Mr.Cryns. VSW isn't excellent product but "good for money" and simple to use. Resin products are far better. Plants that you can see on that photos aren't plastic but self made.Regarding large dios, I gave up on making more of them because of lack of storage space. I don't want to make something like that and put it in cardboard box later

Experience is only gained by trial and error in this hobby, because most of use work alone.

i found Woodland Scenics Water Effect stayed sticky and soft. Anything touching it perhaps a boat will sink in so when removed the shape was left in it.

Eventually i used the cheapest stuff for my needs.

It seems that glass like clear tops on Lakes and rivers seem popular but prone to show the slightest defect. Whereas rippled flowing water effects are less of a problem.

My advice is prepare some samples using the same stuff if need be,but differ the process of creating them,and then after make your choice. Differ the process on how you achieve an end,by the way you prepare and paint your bases.

My recent adventures are well covered in my topics which are still ongoing,and although fit for my present needs, however for the many,not for theirs.

i have in the past used coloured Varnish, Clear Varnish, P V A Glue, Silicone in Tubes,and Water Effects as mentioned above. Now i have used Hodge Pudge! A Form of P V A Glue.

i watched a guy on You Tube , do 7 pours of mixed up Silicone Resin over a period of weeks,each pour taking 72 hours or more to cure clear upon a piece of board about a foot long and 4 inches wide. The Cost Was Crazy! I felt like advising him to use a sheet of glass!

Often is the case simplicity gives good results. i wish you every success in doing your water effect. BB

Thanks a lot for your many interesting and constructive answers. Still Water seems to be the most recommended material which I should to experiment with it. Only I don´t understand which kind of colours you have added to this product - I find by Vallejo pigments and colours which are of these are better to create a brownish-green sweetwater lake?

It´s seems that water-modelling needs certainly still more time, more experiments and finally more money. I will try it first with small plates before I will make my bigger part of a lake.Thank´s a lot for your help!